The college experience is, in many cases, the most important four years in the prospective student athlete’s life, as it will shape their future personal and professional direction. That being said, securing admission to a college or university that best match students’ desires, strengths, and aspirations is essential.

Michigan has announced the addition of Rheema Zakharia and Kristin Nagle to the roster. Zakharia was an earlier Michigan commit who was expected to sign last Fall but apparently did not sign in time for that release. Nagle is a L10 Regional qualifier who trained at Farmington Gymnastics. At the 2009 Region V L9 Regionals, she placed 1st on FX.

Kayla Ross and Sabrina Vega of the US finished first and second in the All Around competition at the Pan Am Championships. Former DU athlete Jessica Lopez finished third. Stanford's incoming freshman Kristina Vaculik finished sixth.

USA Gymnastics has agreed to sanction the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association, providing a respected National Governing body for the fledgling sport derived from competitive cheer. The NCATA intends to pursue "emerging sports" status with the NCAA next spring. The lack of a governing association and a standard set of rules were among the evidence cited when a federal judged ruled against Quinnippiac's attempt to cut its women's volleyball squad, and the subsequent conversion of its existing cheer squad to a competitive team (to meet Title IX requirements).

What do you think? Voice your opinion in our Poll of the Week on the front page of the site.

Elise Gray signed with Illinois State and is on the 2010-2011 roster, according to a site submission. Gray is a L10 who trained at IGI. She placed 26th AA at the 2009 Region V L10 Regionals, after placing 8th AA in 2008.

Western Michigan has announced that two transfers have joined the squad. Caitlin Sullivan competed for Alabama her frosh year and is expected to anchor the WMU beam lineup. She will have three years remaining. Taylor Zondervan transfers from Michigan and will have one season of eligibility remaining. She originally started at OU.

The NCAA Code Modifications for 2010-2011 are now available at the Judge's web site. As always, the NCAA Code Modfications can be impacted by changes to the underlying JO Code, effective through November 2010. So far, the changes described in the document, as they compare to last season, appear to be neglible and won't have an impact on routine construction.

Be sure to vote in the latest site poll on which skill you think the NCAA should devalue in the next update.

McKenzie Fechter has committed to Washington for 2011-2012, according to the athlete and her official web site. Fechter currently trains as L10 at M&M Gymnastics in Wisconsin, after four years at KGDC. She was an international elite qualifier for two years.

Madison Podlucky has committed to Washington for 2011-2012, according to her family. Podlucky is a L10 who trains at the Auburn Gymnastics Center. At the 2010 L10 Nationals, she finished 42nd AA in the Sr. A group. She was 33rd AA at Nationals in 2009.